It’s been a horrific campaign for the Reds, but out of every darkness comes light.
Nottingham Forest manager Mark Warburton applauds the fans
Nottingham Forest fans will be hoping to erase the memory of this season when it finishes in just eight games time, but they’ll also be hoping that they are still a Championship club before they can.
The Reds lie just one point above the relegation zone at present, and while it’s hard to see many positives emitting from Trentside at present, here are three that should offer a little optimism moving forward.
Mark Warburton
Despite it appearing for a long period of time that Forest would be unable to tempt any manager with two brain cells to rub together to work with owner Fawaz Al Hasawi, somehow a brilliant one in Mark Warburton agreed to do so. The job Warburton did at Brentford was staggeringly impressive, and while some Rangers fans will moan about how he did north of the border, ultimately Warburton won both a league title and a cup while in charge of the Gers. Encouraging the football that Reds fans love, Warburton is an outstanding appointment for Forest – and will prove that, if he’s allowed to do his job.
Nottingham Forest owner Fawaz Al Hasawi
Fawaz Al Hasawi may finally sell the club
The friction between fans and Al Hasawi cranked up yet another gear this season, with fans vocally protesting against a man who they feel has killed their club. A large proportion of Forest fans now refuse to believe a single word that leaves Al Hasawi’s mouth, with the beleaguered Kuwaiti businessman burning all bridges with the supporters after refusing to sell to potential American owners and selling prize asset Oliver Burke behind then manager Philippe Montanier’s back. Given two takeover bids have fallen through this season, you sense that Al Hasawi is looking to call it a day – and fans may finally get their wish in the coming months.
The youth academy
The only saving grace for Forest fans this season has been the youth academy, with many graduates either becoming better players with the club or making their first steps. No less than 10 players from the youth academy have represented the Reds this season, and with several hot prospects waiting in the wings, it seems as if Forest’s youth system is one of the best – if not the best – in the Midlands. Fans will be hoping this continues for a very long time, as it will produce the club’s future if correctly maintained.
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